The Arizona Sports Hall of Fame (HOF) was founded in 1957 by the Phoenix Press Box Association. The Association held 36 induction ceremonies before ceasing operations in 1991. In the years that followed, the Phoenix Regional Sports Commission assumed custodianship of the Hall of Fame, including developing a plan in the mid-90s to find the Hall a permanent home.
The Sports Commission partnered with the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce to launch an Arizona Sports Awards luncheon in December 1999 at the Civic Center. The Hall of Fame was a key piece to that event. In January 2001 another luncheon event was held, and in 2002 a cocktail function took place at the Herberger Theater where Jerry Colangelo and Curly Culp were inducted. The Hall of Fame was dormant from 2002 to 2009.
In early 2008, the Sports Commission began planning a re-launch of the Hall of Fame. On April 16, 2009 the Arizona Sports Hall of Fame was revitalized with an induction ceremony at The Phoenician. Over 300 people were on hand to honor four inductees including Al McCoy, Darren Woodson, Linda Vollstedt, and Bob Horner.
Today, the Hall of Fame ceremony stands as the sole annual fundraiser for the Sports Commission each year. Funds raised will support the Sports Commission’s mission to “enhance our community through sports.” This includes attracting sporting events to the Valley of the Sun, promoting the existing events and sports teams in Greater Phoenix, and to support youth sports programs in the region.
The 40th induction ceremony of the Arizona Sports Hall of Fame is slated for April 8, 2010.
Past Inductees
Arizona Sports Hall of Fame Inductees
(As of April 2010 – 40 induction ceremonies, 74 members)
1957 Lewis Tewanima 1912 Olympic silver medalist
1958 J.F. “Pop” McKale University of Arizona coach and athletic director
Jess Mortenson Thatcher track star, long-time USC coach
1959 Art Nehf Sr. Major-league pitcher
1960 Thornton Lee Major-league pitcher
Robbie Robinson Phoenix Union High School football coach
1961 Dr. Charles Borah First Arizonan to win Olympic gold, 1928
1962 Earl Grace Major-league catcher
1963 Hank Lieber Phoenix Union High School, University of Arizona, major-league outfielder
1964 Jimmy Bryan First Arizonan to win the Indianapolis 500
Joseph Lancer Sr. Owner of minor-league Phoenix Senators
1965 Vic Housholder Legendary sports official, umpire
E. Earl Pomeroy Mesa High School, BYU athletic great
1966 George Hoy Phoenix College coach, athletic director
Rudy Lavik Arizona State University athlete and coach
1967 Milt Coggins Amateur golfer and golf instructor
1968 C.W. “Doc” Pardee Legendary thoroughbred horse trainer
Wilford “Whizzer” White Mesa High School and ASU running back
1969 Fred Enke Sr. University of Arizona basketball coach
1970 Miles W. Casteel Arizona State University athletic director
1971 Bobby Ball Arizona auto racing pioneer
Edgar “Mutt” Ford Mesa High School football coach
1972 Dallas Long North-Phoenix High School, 1964 Olympic shot put Gold medalist and world record holder
Frank Sancet University of Arizona baseball coach
1973 Joe Famulatte Phoenix Indian School coach
1974 Clyde B. Smith Arizona State University athletic director
1975 Bob Housholder Softball player, big-game hunter
Warren Livingston Mesa High School, University of Arizona, Dallas Cowboys football player
Dot Wilkinson Softball legend, international bowling champ
1976 Patsy Willard 1964 Olympic diving bronze medalist from Mesa
1977 Fred Enke Jr. University of Arizona, Washington Redskins football player
Bill Miller 1952 Olympic javelin silver medalist
1978 Johnny Bulla Professional Golf Association champion
Art Van Haren Sr. Baseball and softball umpire
1979 Shanty Hogan University of Arizona football and baseball coach
1980 Clint Brawner Auto racing pioneer
Roger McCluskey Auto racing pioneer from Tucson
1981 Dick Van Arsdale Phoenix Suns all-star guard
1982 Ed Doherty Football coach at Arizona State, University of Arizona, and St. Mary’s High School
1984 Bob Goldwater Sr. Golf pioneer, helped found the Phoenix Open
Karsten Solheim Golf club manufacturing pioneer
1985 Ned Wulk Arizona State University basketball coach
1986 Ed Long Phoenix Union High School basketball coach
1987 Kathy Gibbons 1972 Olympic runner, world record holder, NAU
Jack Stewart Founder of the Fiesta Bowl
Frank Gianelli Sports Editor, Arizona Republic
Bob Allison Sports Editor, Phoenix Gazette
1988 Alvan Adams Phoenix Suns center
Larry Walker Fast-Pitch softball kingpin, founder of BCI
Dave Hicks Columnist, Arizona Republic
1989 Frank Kush Arizona State University football coach
John Riggle Executive director of Arizona Golf Association
Abe Chanin Sports Editor, Arizona Daily Star
1989 George McLeod Sports Editor, Tucson Daily Citizen
1990 Danny White Westwood High School, Arizona State University, Dallas Cowboys quarterback
Dwight Patterson Founder of the Cactus League
Bob Vache Television anchor, Suns broadcaster
1991 Al Van Hazel Casa Grande High School football and track coach
Gov. Rose Mofford Softball star, Cactus League supporter as governor
Ben Avery Outdoors columnist, Arizona Republic
1999 Herman Frazier 1972 Olympic gold medalist in track, Arizona State University
2001 Jim Brock Arizona State University baseball coach
Charles Hickox 1968 Olympic gold medal swimmer
2002 Jerry Colangelo Phoenix Suns, Arizona Diamondbacks executive
Curley Culp Yuma High School, Arizona State University football player and wrestler, NFL player
2009 Al McCoy Phoenix Suns announcer
Linda Vollstedt Arizona State golf coach
Bob Horner Arizona State, Major League Baseball player
Darren Woodson Arizona State, Dallas Cowboys football player
2010 Bob Baffert Triple Crown winning horse trainer
Sean Elliott NBA All-Star, University of Arizona basketball player
Billie Harris Softball pioneer
Billy Mayfair PGA Tour player, Camelback High School, Arizona State University, US Amateur and Public Links Champion
Lute Olson University of Arizona National Champion basketball coach
